Racing: Mick The Man made it eighth time lucky as he finally got off the mark over obstacles in the 20 per cent On Line Ticket Discount Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The seven-year-old landed the 2007 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival for Noel Meade but he disappointed over hurdles last term, finishing second no less than five times.
However, a switch to Colm Murphy's yard seems to have reinvigorated Mick The Man and after a third for the handler first time out, he regained the winning thread here.
Sent off the 4-5 favourite he proved a cut above his rivals in winning by a comfortable 12 lengths from Lurgan.
Murphy said: "The horse had been unlucky to come up against some good horses last year. We will keep him to two and a half and three miles now as he does want a trip. He didn't have to beat much today though.
"The horse is best fresh so we will just keep him ticking over now but there aren't any options for him over Christmas."
Tom Taaffe may have been denied a day out at Cheltenham but Ninetieth Minute offered some small consolation with a stylish success in the Fairyhouseracecourse.ie Rated Hurdle.
Taaffe was due to run leading fancy Finger Onthe Pulse in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup but with rain forcing officials to abandon the meeting, the County Kildare handler turned his attentions back to a home venue.
Partnered by Paddy Flood, Ninetieth Minute looked the winner from some way out, travelling well before kicking away from Candy Girl for a 12-length success.
Flood was completing a double after his earlier success in the opening Bobbyjo Bistro On New Years Day 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle aboard Flag Of Honour.
Sent off the joint 100-30 market leader along with Wikaala, the Dessie Hughes-trained winner dealt the testing conditions in fine style to run out a seven-length winner over Celtic Strand.
Even-money favourite Knocknagow Leader had no answer to the game finish of Jak Dream (7-1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase for Philip Rothwell and Shane Jackson.